Heat insulating construction



July 6, 1943- H. w. COLLINS HEAT INSULATING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 8, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Colc'ns ATTORNEY July 6, 1943. H. w. COLLINS HEAT INSULATQINGCONSTRUCTION Filed May 8, 1940 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented July 6, 1943 HEAT INSULATING CONSTRUCTION Howard W. Collins, Newark, Ohio, assignor to Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application May 8, 1940, Serial No. 334,020

8 Claims.

This invention relates to insulation for vessels, and particularly to heat insulation for relatively large tanks of either cylindrical or rectilinear form for storing fluids outdoors.

Heretofore, insulation of this character has consisted of permanent blanket insulation in the form of either sheet or block insulating material which was wired or otherwise secured to the tank and covered with a layer of cement and finally waterproofed. 'Another type of insulation heretofore in common use was formed on the tank by successively applied layers of insulating cement over wire mesh. These types of insulation are diflicult to install and invariably require the use of skilled labor and the building and rebuilding of scaffolding.

In addition to the diiiiculties encountered in the erection of such insulation, limitations in the insulating efliciency thereof were encountered inasmuch as it required a relatively large number of metal fastening devices in direct contact with the tank and extending to the outside of the insulation. Furthermore, insulation applied in the form of cement or the like, was difficult, if not impossible, to remove for the purpose of repair.

The present invention is designed to overcome these limitations, and it is one of the objects of the invention to provide an insulating construction for tanks or the like which is readily applied and removed and which requires no skilled labor or rebuilding of scaffolding for its installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide tank insulation characterized by a relatively few, or complete absence of, metal retaining parts in contact with the walls of the tank which would impair the eiliciency of the insulation.

The provision of an insulation which is of comparatively light weight; which is inexpensive to manufacture; which is waterproof; and which is highly eilicient, is a further object of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a cylindrical tank insulated in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view taken on a horizontal plane through the insulated tank wall.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section of a pair of adjacent panel assemblies and their associated parts.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through the wall of the insulated tank in the vicinity of the upper edge thereof, and partly broken away.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figures 4 and 5 showing another modified form of construction. I

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional view of the band taken along a plane represented by the line 1| of Figure l, and illustrating the spring means for tensioning the band during application of the insulating panels to the tank.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a vertically extending corner of an insulated tank of rectangular form.

Figure 9 is a Vertical sectional view illustrating the upper portion of an insulated tank of rectangular form.

The present invention provides a tank covering insulation of preferably sectional form, the sections having overlapping portions, and a supporting and securing substantially rigid framework for the insulation of ,open panel or mesh form overlying the insulation. The framework comprises relatively transversely extending metal members which preferably overlie the overlapped portions of the insulation sections and hold the sections in place, the metal members extending in one direction relatively to the tank being secured about the tank, and the members extending crosswise relatively to the first members being held to the tank by said first members.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the invention is shown embodied in an insulating construction applied. to a cylindrical tank having a vertical side wall I0 and a sloping to wall II, the two walls being connected together by means including an angle piece I! (Figure 4).

The insulation by which the wall I 0 is covered includes a plurality of bonded insulating units or panels l3 (Figure 3) which are fitted together and held in position on the wall It by a metal framework subsequently described. Each panel or unit l3 consists of a plurality of insulation segments H to which there is applied a backing sheet l5 of waterproof material such as sheet metal, roofing felt or the like. The backing sheet 15 is preferably flexible and the segment ll of insulating material have their adjoining edges beveled to extend acutely angularly to the sheet so that when the backing material sheet I5 is curved to accommodate the wall I0, the segments ll fit closely together about the arc of tank surface covered by the unit and form a continuous glass wool bats ofwell known form, as for example, glass wool that has been impregnated with a suitable bonding'agent to hold the individual fibers of the wool in their interfelted relationship. The backing sheet Ii of each panel extends beyond the assembled segments-along on side and along one endof the assembly to overlap the backing sheet of the: next adjacent panel as at It at the vertical juncture between adjacent panels and as at I! at the horizontal juncture between the panels. The overlapping portions are bonded together at assembly by means of bituminous or other cement'to render the insulation waterproof at the seams.

The density of the various segments l4 preferably varies from the surface of the tank wall In outwardly, the material adjacent the wall being of comparatively low density in order that it may readily follow any irregularities in the contour of the wall." The material adjacent the backing sheet I5 is of comparatively high density to provide a hard outer surface portion or crust for the insulation, to protect the same against injury and to provide a relatively rigid panel.

A plurality of retaining or draw bands l8- formed of flat strip stock extend around the tank wall l0 and overlie the panels, preferably on the line of horizontal overlap of the backing sheet to hold the panels in place on the tank and conceal the horizontal seams I1 between the adjacent superposed panel sections. The retaining bands iii are drawn up to tightly clasp the panels about the tank by bolts and nuts- IS, the bolts being received through openings in ears formed on attachment strips 2| that are secured by means of rivets to the meeting ends of the bands l8.

When applying the panels, it is desirabl to first arrange the bands I! on the tank in approximate positions and resiliently tension them to hold them in place by springs having their ends received inthebolt openings in the ears 20 as illustrated in Figure 'I.

In order to space the bands l3 from each other and to conceal the vertical lap seams and further aid in holding the insulating panels l3 in position on the tank wall, a plurality of vertically extending spacing bars 22 extend in vertical alignment between adjacent bands IS, the bands being received in slots 23 at opposite ends of the bars. The bars 22, are substantially T-shaped in cross section and are formed integrally with V-shaped central ribs and oppositely directed lateral flanges 24 (Figure 2) which, when the bars are assembled in the structure, bear against the adjacent edge regions of adjoining insulation panels l3, with the central ribs of the bars preferably aligned with the meeting edges of the panels. In the regions of the slots 2'3, the flanges 24 underlie the retaining bands l8 while the'ribs overlie the bands to form substantially continuous ribs extending from the bottom to the top of the tank wall, the end walls of the slots being in abutting relation with the edges of the ,bands.- The lowermost band is preferablysupthereabove are held against downward movement by the bars 22.

After assembly of the panels, the bands, and

the bars, the springs ll! are replaced by the bolts I! and the bands drawn tightly against the insulation material and against the flanges of the bars 22, effecting a substantially rigid framework and firmly securing the insulation material in position on the tank wall.

Various methods of insulating the sloping circular top wall ll of the tank may be employed and in the form illustrated, in Figure 4, insulating panels 25 similar in their structure to the panels I! are cut to fit the top wall II and are placed thereon. A flashing strip or band 28 which is similar to the bands I8 but of somewhat greater width extends around the upper region of the tank and overlies the outer arcuate edges of the insulating panels II and is drawn against the same by means of a bolt and nut arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 1. Angle pieces 21 and 28 are bolted to the flashing band 26, the former underlying one flange of the angle piece l2 and the latter overlying the top wall I l of the tank. One or more layers of conventional mopped roofing material 29 is placed on the backing sheet 3i] associated with the panels 2|, while additional roofing material 3| extends around the outer edges of the panels beneath the roofing material 29, and passes over, the upper edge of the flashing band 26 and is clamped by a retaining band '32 to the outer face of the flashing band 26. A quantity of loose fibrous insulating material 33 is packed into the space existing between the lower portion of the flashing band .26 and the upper edge of the uppermost insulating panels l3. v

' Figure 5 illustrates a construction wherein insulation of the tank is eflected with no heat conducting metal parts extending through the insulation material. In this form the angle pieces 21 and 28 of Figure 4 are omitted, and the flashing strip I26 bears directly against the periphery of the insulating panels I25 and the upper edge of the panels 3. The angle piece H2 which connects the tank side wall 0 and the tank top wall III is located within the confines of the tank p p r. M

In Figure 6 the insulating panels 2 I 3 do not extend completely to the top of the side wall 2l0 of the tank and the flashing band or strip 226 is so constructed as to overlie the peripheral edge of the top insulation panels 225, a portion of the side wall 2") of the tank and the upper edge of the panels 2l3. This construction is particularly adapted for use in connection with tanks having integral side and top walls.

'The improved insulation thus far described is capable of being assembled with comparative ease by a single operator or workman if necessary. The retaining bands l8 are placed about the tank in the approximate positions they will occupy in the completed insulation. The ends of the bands l8 are connected together by the tension springs I! to tension the bands sufliciently to hold them in place. The insulating-panels l3 may then be put in place by applying the panels to the wall III of the tank in superposed relation starting from the'bottom and proceeding upwardly to form-vertical rows, which rows are formed progressively around the tank. Localized regions of the bands [8 may be pulled away from the wall l2 and blocked by means of suit- .able chucks. A panel I3 may then be inserted behind its two respective bands. Chucks may then be inserted behind the band next above, at a region aligned with the previously inserted panel, and a second panel l3 placed in position above the first panel. After all of the panels l3 forming a vertical row have been positioned behind the bands, :3. second series of panels are applied in similar manner and the vertical spacing bars 22 may be placed inposition to cover the vertical seams between adjacent panels. In-

sertion of a bar 22 in position in the structure is accomplished by first causing the upper slot 23 to register with a band l8 and, while the bar is held in a slanting position, causing the lower slot 23 to register with the next lower band I3. The bar is then moved to true vertical position to cause the bands to be fully received in the slots.

After theside wall to of the tank has been covered with the insulation, the top wall panels 25 formed to fit the top wall ll may be placed in position on the top wall, the flashing band or strip 26 applied, and the loose fibrous material 33 packed in position behind the latter. Finally, the roofing material 29 and 3| is applied and the uppermost retaining band 32 placed around the flashing band 26, and the insulation is complete.

The application of the insulation to the top wall III of the structure shown in Figure and to the top wall 2 of the structure shown in Figure 6 is made in a similar manner, it being preferable in any case to apply the insulation to the side wall of the tank first and to apply the top wall insulation last.

For applying the insulation, a minimum of scaffolding is required and it may'even be dispensed with in favor of ladders for most sizes of tanks.

While the specific structure utilized in the insulation of the rectilinear tank H0 of Figures 8 and 9 varies slightly from that utilized for cylindrical tanks, the principles of the invention are not altered materially. A plurality of attaching angle pieces 350 are secured to the four sides of the tank, two of which are represented at 35L 352 and horizontal cor-ner angle pieces 353 are secured thereto and are maintained spaced from the respective upper horizontal edges of the tank. Additional attaching angle pieces 354 secured along vertical edges of the tank serve to maintain vertical angle pieces 355 spaced from the vertical edges of the tank. Medial attachment angle pieces 355 provided on the four sides of the tank serve to support superimposed T-shaped bars 319, corresponding to the draw bands It, in spaced relation to the tank sides. The insulating panels 313 are placed one above the other in position between the adjacent superimposed T-shape bars 3l9 and the tank wall, and the vertical T-shape bars 322 corresponding to the spacing bars 22 are finally inserted in Position with the slots 323 of the bars received over the vertically extending flanges of the T-shaped bars 3l9.

Other variations and modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Th combination with a tank or like structure of an insulating covering, comprising: a plurality of insulating units arranged contiguously about the tank side walls, a plurality of parallelly related spaced bands overlying the tank and units and secured about the tank, and a plurality of spacing bars transversely disposed relative to said bands and having slots in the opposite ends thereof receiving respectively adjacent bands to retain the spacing bars in position and relativelyspace said bands.

2. The combination with a tank or like structure of an insulating covering therefor, comprising: a plurality of vertically superimposed series of insulating units, each unit being formed of fibrous material and the units of each series surrounding the tank side walls in contiguous relationship to one another, a plurality of bands extending horizontally around the tank side walls and covering the junctures between adjacent series of insulating units, and a plurality of vertically extending spacing bars connected at their opposite ends to adjacent bands and covering the junctures between adjacent insulatin units in the various series thereof.

3. The combination with a tank or like structure of an insulating covering therefor, comprising: a plurality of vertically superimposed series of insulating units, each unit being formed of felted fibrous material and the units of each series surrounding the tank side walls in contiguous relationship to one another, a plurality of bands extending horizontally around the tank side walls and covering the junctures between adjacent series of insulating units, and a plurality of vertically extending spacing bars having slots formed in opposite ends thereof, the marginal edge portions of adjacent bands extending into the slots to retain the spacing bars in their vertical positions between the bands and to relatively space the bands.

4. A supporting and securing frame of open panel form for sectional tank covering insulation, including: a plurality of bands'surrounding the tank and overlying the covering material, a plurality of bars extending at substantially right angles to said bands, relatively spaced about the tank and having end portions received between the bands and the insulating material to be held supportingly against the material and having opposite end abutment portions contacting the edges of adjacent bands to space the bands.

5. A supporting and securing frame of open panel form for tank covering insulation formed of a plurality of rectangular sections, including: a plurality of bands surrounding the tank and overlying the covering material at the parallelly related lines of section juncture extending in one direction, a plurality of bars of T-shape crosssectional form extending transversely to the bands and overlying the parallelly related lines of section juncture extending transversely to said first named juncture lines, said bars having end portions received between the bands and the insulating material to be held supportingly against the material and opposite end abutment portions contacting the edges of adjacent bands to space the bands, and means securing the bands about the tank and material to fasten the framework about the tank.

6. A supporting and securing frame of panel form for sectional tank covering insulation, in-

- eluding: a plurality of flat bands surrounding the tank in horizontal planes and overlying the coving material at the horizontal lines of juncture between the sections, a plurality of vertically extending bars of T-shape cross-sectional form overlying the vertical lines of juncture between the sections and having end portions received between the bands and the insulating material to be held supportingly against the material and opposite end abutment portions contacting the edges of adjacent bands to space the bands, and means securing the bands about the tank and material to fasten the framework and material about the tank.

7. The combination with a tank or like structure of an insulating covering therefor comprisin a plurality of superimposed series of insulating units of rectangular form, each unit being formed of fibrous material and the units of each series surrounding the tank side walls in contiguous relationship to one another, a continuous backing sheet secured to the outer surface of each unit and overhanging the unit at least at two adjoining edges, to thereby overlap the margins of adjacent units in position on the tank, a plurality of bands extending horizontally around the tank side walls and overlying the overlapped portions of the backing sheets at the horizontal junctures between adjacent insulating units, and a plurality of vertically extending spacing bars to receive the bands and thereby space adjoining bands relative to each other, whereby all of the frame is supported by the tank foundation, and

means for securing said bands about said tank. HOWARD W. COLLINS. 

